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4mo ago

Trump Administration Signals Federal Probe into Axel Springer After Critical Don Jr. Report

The White House is targeting the German media conglomerate over Politico and Business Insider's ownership, citing alleged foreign meddling and ethics violations.

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WASHINGTON - JULY 16: Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, right, the running mate of former President Donald Trump, Republican presidential nominee, and Donald Trump Jr., are seen on stage during a sound check in the Fiserv Forum before the second day's session of Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The Trump administration is reportedly considering a federal investigation into Axel Springer, the German company that owns Politico and Business Insider, following a critical report about Donald Trump Jr.
  • Business Insider's May 6 article compared Donald Trump Jr. to Hunter Biden, focusing on potential conflicts of interest tied to his venture capital firm, 1789 Capital.
  • An unnamed White House adviser described Axel Springer as a 'German influence operation' and suggested its reporting could constitute 'illegal foreign political meddling.'
  • Trump-aligned lobbying firm Ballard Partners ended its $80,000 contract with Axel Springer, citing the Business Insider report and political tensions as key factors.
  • The potential probe reflects broader concerns about media ownership, ethics, and the Trump administration's history of using government tools to pressure critical outlets.